Mathis to return for senior season | Ole Miss Sports

A few notes here on the last 24 hours for Tanner Mathis, who had very little time Wednesday to choose a senior season or a pro beginning. …

The Astros scout asked him on the phone if he would sign. He gave Mathis three minutes to decide. Mathis told him at first that he would sign, then called him back and told him he would not.

“There are too many things we’ve not accomplished at Ole Miss, personal goals and team goals. We’ve not accomplished any of the team goals as far as the big ones, winning the conference, winning 40 games, host a regional, hosting a super regional, getting to Omaha and winning a national championship. We’ve not done any of that.”

Mathis also said he “couldn’t miss out” on another year at Swayze Field. Something that helped seal his decision was the knowledge that teammate Brett Huber, reliever, is coming back.

“I think we can achieve most if not all of our team goals. We will have two of the best pitchers in the country on Fridays and Saturdays,” said Mathis.

He added that he’s very confident a third starter will emerge, as well as knew run-producers on offense. It’s likely he’ll be more of an RBI threat sliding down to third or fifth in the batting order.

“I talked to my family, and I talked to our coaches, and I felt like I needed to stay here one more year and lead this team to the promised land,” Mathis said.